Imagining Argentina
Buenos Aires 1976: Carlos and his wife Cecilia live with their daughter in a city haunted by the ongoing disappearances of thousands of its citizens. Cecilia's editorials questioning these disappearances have attracted the attention of government agents. When Carlos arrives home one day, he finds Cecilia has been abducted by the police and taken to one of the countries notorious secret prisons.
Member Reviews
I have seen better movies - TheAlchemist
As the reviewers before me, I agree that the only value of the movie lies in bringing attention to the monstrosity that happened in Argentina. It also links the issue to other "disappeared" people around the world hinting to the horrors continue somewhere else. But that's it. Having actors of the calibre of Emma Thompson and Antonio Banderas, the movie could have had benefited by being more historically accurate. Although the military in Argentina were ideologically sympathizers of the Nazis (no Nazis flags were ever shown in public ever), the influence of the American Government at the time in secretly encouraging, supporting and training is not mentioned at all when it was far more decisive than the Nazis. The Mothers of May Square are shown in a very soft manner when those women were (are) very strongly willed. The role of Antonio Banderas as a seer giving hope is unbelievably out of place. The movie is well shot and at times looses momentum. If the movie was the same, but in an imaginary country, it would lack all appeal as the story has no strength on its own. I have seen it once, but I can’t think of what kind of audience would feel fully satisfied after seen it.Not bad - carms
As far as bringing out the attention of the state in Argentina, the film did a respectable job. As for the acting, the actors were impressive in their portrayals of the characters. Now for the overall impression: I thought it was worth the rent, though a little substandard in the taste of my usual likes for movies to watch. I do not have a suggestion to improve the movie; all I know is, I watched it once--- I liked it OK, but will I do it again? Perhaps: IF and ONLY IF I finish the rest of the list of films I have in my journal to see or rent or purchase.Another good story about a “Dirty War” - Terry2
“Imagining Argentina” is about: a woman political writer, Cecilia Rueda (Emma Thompson) disappears ( actually she has been kidnapped by the Secret Service of Argentina's Videla's dictatorship), and her playwright husband Carlos (Antonio Banderas) finds he has a psychic gift that tells the story of other missing children and adults. During this period (1976-1983) 30,000 Argentinean citizens disappeared without explanation. Some of the cinematography is beautiful and the dream-time imagery is quite poetic. The editing and directing could be better.
The film does fulfil the director's stated purpose of drawing world attention to a dark period of Argentina's history; maybe it's worthwhile just for that.
Member Reviews
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I have seen better movies - TheAlchemist
As the reviewers before me, I agree that the only value of the movie lies in bringing attention to the monstrosity that happened in Argentina. It also links the issue to other "disappeared" people around the world hinting to the horrors continue somewhere ...Not bad - carms
As far as bringing out the attention of the state in Argentina, the film did a respectable job. As for the acting, the actors were impressive in their portrayals of the characters. Now for the overall impression: I thought it was worth the rent, though ...Another good story about a “Dirty War” - Terry2
“Imagining Argentina” is about: a woman political writer, Cecilia Rueda (Emma Thompson) disappears ( actually she has been kidnapped by the Secret Service of Argentina's Videla's dictatorship), and her playwright husband Carlos (Antonio Banderas) finds he ...